Marcos' Son Returns to Manila in Advance of Mother's Arrival

MANILA — The son of ousted President Ferdinand E. Marcos returned to Manila on Thursday after almost six years in exile, saying he wants to prepare the way for a Philippine burial for his father's remains.

"The Marcos family now feels that the time has come that my father be put to rest," Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr., 34, told reporters after arriving from Singapore.

Marcos' remains are being kept in a refrigerated crypt in Hawaii, where he died in exile in 1989 after a popular revolt in 1986 ended his 20-year authoritarian rule.

Ferdinand Jr. flew in four days before the late dictator's wife, Imelda, is expected to return Monday from Hawaii.

Philippine President Corazon Aquino, who came to power with Marcos' downfall in 1986, has barred a Manila burial for the former president on security grounds. But she has said that Marcos' corpse can be flown directly to his northern home town of Laoag, in Ilocos Norte province.

Imelda Marcos plans to visit Laoag the day after she comes home. She is insisting that Marcos be buried in Manila with full honors.

Both son and mother face charges in the Philippines, which has accused Marcos and his family of stealing up to $5 billion from the nation during his rule. Officials said they will give them both a few days to settle in before presenting arrest warrants.